THE MISSING LINK - MULLINER COMPLETELY RE-CREATES PIVOTAL 1939 BENTLEY CORNICHE

(Crewe, 8th August 2019) Bentley has re-created a long-lost car from its illustrious past that provides a crucial link in the history of its most important models. The ground-up rebuild of the only 1939 Corniche ever made highlights the marque’s pedigree of design and technological innovation, the breadth of skills within Mulliner’s bespoking division, and connects the fabled Embiricos 4¼ Litre and R Type Continental.

The only car of its type now in existence thanks to the skills of Mulliner, the Corniche was conceived to be a high performance version of the new MkV saloon, itself a technological advance that was due to be launched in October 1939.

The styling of the Corniche was a radical step forward from the traditional Bentleys of the 1920s and ‘30s, introducing ‘Streamlining’ to help deliver greater speed and performance, and heavily influenced post-war models from the R Type Continental right through to the current Continental GT.

The original Corniche was lost in France in 1939 at the outbreak of World War II. It was extensively damaged in a traffic accident whilst undergoing road tests in France in August 1939. Sent for repairs, the chassis made it home to the Bentley plant in Derby, but the bodywork was destroyed in a bombing raid on Dieppe later in 1939 and was never seen again.

Until now.

The project was originally started several years ago by volunteers from the WO Bentley Memorial Foundation and the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation, but was brought in-house in February 2018 under the watchful eye of Chairman and Chief Executive Adrian Hallmark, who asked for it to be completed in 2019 to celebrate Bentley’s centenary.

“The 1939 Corniche was a clear step in Bentley’s design language which is evident when set aside the later and now iconic R Type Continental. It is a pivotal car in the history of Bentley, demonstrating that even then, this great British marque was at the cutting edge of design and technology,” comments Hallmark. “Mulliner’s stunning recreation of the Corniche clearly demonstrates our skill in restoring the greats from Bentley’s back catalogue as well as making beautiful personalised modern Bentleys.”

NEWS PROVIDED BY BENTLEY MOTORS 

GRAHAM HULL ARTWORK COMPETITION PRIZE GOES TO A VERY GOOD HOME

Earlier this year we ran a competition to win a truly unique, signed drawing by Graham Hull. Author of the recently-published book Inside the Rolls-Royce & Bentley Styling Department 1971-2001, Graham joined Rolls-Royce and Bentley Motors, Crewe, in 1971. He became chief stylist, responsible for both marques in the mid '80s, and was deeply involved in the spectacular rebirth of Bentley.

This completely original one-off A3 render of Graham Hull's 2014 personal concept artwork suggestion of how a modern, bespoke, luxury Coupé might look was won by Wolfgang, from Germany. He sent us a couple of photos of the framed artwork on his wall.

Here's what Wolfgang had to say:

"As you can see, the two drawings complement each other beautifully. The upper one is a signed print of a drawing John Samsen (who was on Virgil Exner's team) did of a 59 DeSoto. The rear was actually used for the 60 DeSoto, which would have profited also of the less bulky front Mr. Samsen gave it on the rendering. The killer whale look was a demand made by management ..."

Graham Hull's artwork ended up in the home of a real enthusiast who enjoyed his Rolls-Royce and Bentley story a lot, and I learned many things I had no idea about."
Wolfgang, Germany (Competition prize winner).

Available from Veloce!
Inside the Rolls-Royce & Bentley Styling Department 1971 to 2001
By Graham Hull.

Working for this uniquely British institution during a period of immense change described in detail.

More info.

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Inside the Rolls-Royce & Bentley Styling Department 1971 to 2001
by Graham Hull
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COMPETITION TIME!

How would you like to win a truly unique, signed drawing by Graham Hull? Author of the recently-published book Inside the Rolls-Royce & Bentley Styling Department 1971-2001, Graham joined Rolls-Royce and Bentley Motors, Crewe, in 1971. He became chief stylist, responsible for both marques in the mid '80s, and was deeply involved in the spectacular rebirth of Bentley.

This completely original one-off A3 render of Graham Hull's 2014 personal concept artwork suggestion of how a modern, bespoke, luxury Coupé might look, was produced especially for Veloce last month, and we are giving it away to one lucky winner!

To be in with a chance of winning this exclusive piece of original automotive artwork, by an expert in his field, simply answer the following question:

Inside the Rolls-Royce & Bentley Styling Department 1971-2001 by Graham Hull is packed with photos, designs & sketches like the image above. How many pictures are there in Graham Hull's new Rolls-Royce & Bentley book?

To give you a clue, the answer can be found on the book description page here.

Email your answer to prize@veloce.co.uk. One lucky winner will be selected at random from all the correct entries on 30th April 2014.

‘GRAND TOURING GREATS’ TO STAR IN THE EARLS COURT MOTOR SHOW AT THE GOODWOOD REVIVAL

Following the growing popularity of the annual Earls Court Motor Show at the Goodwood Revival, this key attraction will once again add an exciting element to the annual Revival meeting, the world’s most authentic historic motor race meeting, being held in just four week’s time, from 17-19 September.

The Earls Court Motor Show takes its inspiration from the celebrated London Motor Shows of the 1950s and 60s, with an Art Deco frontage reminiscent of the glory days of exhibitions of the past. This spacious area will give the expected 130,000 Goodwood Revival visitors an insight into how the motoring of tomorrow might look from a pre-1966 perspective, with a display of ‘futuristic’ late 20th and early 21st century cars.

Externally, Earls Court looks like the entrance to a 1950s Motor Show, promising to display ‘cars of the future’ inside. As no post-1966 vehicles are ordinarily allowed on site during the Goodwood Revival, the Earls Court Motor Show enables the event to break out of its ‘period’ timeframe and display post-1966 vehicles. The effect is like walking into a Tardis, offering other-worldly futuristic new cars to see, right up to and including manufacturers’ latest products.

Each vehicle manufacturer’s stand is presented in the style of a traditional Motor Show of the 1950s or 1960s. As with the rest of the Revival, the overall display is not set in a specific timeframe, but rather at some unidentified point prior to 1966. Manufacturer displays are therefore expected to include contemporary cars of the 1950s or 1960s, as well as some ‘concept’ cars showing each company’s vision of what production cars might look like in the early 21st Century. Car manufacturers confirmed to be exhibiting at this ‘motor show of the future’ include Maserati, Jaguar, BMW, Nissan and Rolls-Royce.

In addition to the manufacturers’ stands, there will be a central ‘concours d’elegance’ exhibition. This display will commemorate ‘Grand Touring Greats’, featuring around 25 elegant GT cars, from the 1950s right through to the present day. Expect to see important GT cars such as the influential Lancia Aurelia B20 Coupe, Bentley Continental R, Facel Vega HK500, Gordon Keeble and Ferrari 365 GTB/4 ‘Daytona.’

Goodwood’s historic links with Earls Court are very strong. The famous London Earls Court exhibition site was built on land once owned by the Duke of Richmond; the Earl in the name referring to the Earl of March, from whom the present 10th Duke of Richmond, and his son Lord March, are directly descended.

Source: Goodwood

BENTLEY DRIVERS CLUB AT SILVERSTONE

3 litre Bentleys in the parade as the rain begins (around 100 Bentleys took part). Image: Peter de Rousset-Hall
The Bentley Drivers Club 61st Annual Race Meeting at Silverstone on August 7th saw fantastic racing from a wonderfully diverse range of Bentleys and other marques. And, in the true spirit of the original Bentley Boys of the 1920s, the event saw a number of owners of modern Bentleys turning out with their contemporary machines tuned and presented for racing against their vintage counterparts.

“The mix of cars of all shapes, sizes and ages really took everyone back to the early days of motor racing,” said Sebastian Welch, Competitions Captain of the BDC, “and it was particularly heartening to see everything from a very early, brakeless, front-axled 3 litre Bentley up to the mighty 2005 GT, which was colourfully vinyl wrapped, just as owners have tuned and developed Bentleys for some 80 years. It’s a tradition that we in the Club are delighted to see continue.”

Key to this event is the informality of a true club meeting; grass-roots motorsport at its very best. “Although many of the cars are true museum pieces, they’re not kept in museums – we race them as they were always intended to be,” commented Clive Morley, who campaigned two vintage Bentleys at Silverstone, “and there’s a great atmosphere in the paddock. People can get really close to the cars – even sit in some of them.”

It’s also a superb family event. Spectators of all ages had plenty to entertain them, including the magnificent sight of 100 Bentleys old and new parading around a rather wet Silverstone, and exhibition laps by the Le Mans development car, EXP Speed 8. It was also a family event for the racers themselves, with husbands and wives competing against each other and, in the case of Clive Morley and his family, three generations out on the track.

The Bentley Drivers Club also continued the tradition of the race meetings of decades ago by inviting other marques to attend, which added to the excitement and spectacle. Two Morgan races were hugely entertaining, while other races featured Bugatti, D-type Jaguar, Lagonda, Allard, Frazer Nash, Aston Martin, Austin-Healey and MG, to name but a few.

Not surprisingly, this hugely popular meeting attracts overseas enthusiasts, not just to watch but also to compete. One competitor drove his 41/2 litre Bentley from Brussels, then campaigned it out on the track – again, very much in the spirit of those early racers.

“We were delighted with the event,” concluded Sebastian Welch. “We had full grids for a number of races, a strong turn-out of spectators, close-fought, exhilarating racing and that inimitable, relaxed and welcoming atmosphere that makes our annual Silverstone meeting so special.”

Source: Bentley Drivers Club

RARE GLIMPSE INSIDE BENTLEY AND ROLLS-ROYCE TREASURE TROVE

One of the motor industry’s hidden treasure troves will be opened for the first time in September when Bentley Motors holds a one-off parts and accessories sales fair.

The famous Crewe-based manufacturer will be offering professional traders and owners of both Bentley and Crewe-built Rolls-Royce cars, as well as enthusiasts of these iconic British marques, the opportunity to purchase anything from a V8 engine block or replacement gearbox right through to an indicator bulb or pristine, beautifully illustrated 1950s handbook.


Bentley Motors holds over 55,000 part lines for all Bentley models (1955 onwards) as well as Rolls-Royce cars built in Crewe (1955-2002) at its state-of-the-art 143,000 square foot warehouse on the outskirts of the Cheshire town. This equates to an astonishing 7 million items - all stored and catalogued on the company’s database.

The September sales fair will enable Bentley to create additional space for parts and accessories for upcoming cars like the Continental Supersports and the much anticipated all-new Bentley which is due to make its debut in California this August.

Over the weekend a range of Bentley’s factory trained experts will be on-site to provide visitors with advice on identifying and sourcing the correct parts for their car. All the items will be clearly catalogued and displayed by model type with a range of systems available to source the perfect part.

Unlike a typical ‘autojumble’, all the parts available will be original and unused, backed with a manufacturer warranty and many provided in branded packaging. Bentley’s official logistics partner will also attend the weekend to support any customers needing parts to be shipped.

Anyone wishing to attend this unique Bentley parts and accessories can register their interest by contacting the team at heritage.event@bentley.co.uk by 21 August 2009.

Press release & images from:Bentley Motors

Coming soon from Veloce! Bentley Continental, Corniche & Azure 1951-2002 – Revised Edition by Martin Bennett.
Definitive history of the fastest and most elegant Bentleys: the Continentals. Includes Bentley Continental R and S-Types (1951-66), Bentley Corniche (1971-84), Continental Convertible (1984-95), Continental R/S/T (1991 to date), and Azure (1995 to date).
Click here for more info about the book.

SPECIAL OFFER - HALF PRICE BOOKS!

Bentley Continental - Corniche & Azure 51-98
By Martin Bennett.

The definitive history of the most sought-after, powerful and elegant Bentleys.

Click here for more info.








Microcars at large!
By Adam Quellin.
Charts the history and development of the small economy cars which emerged after the Second World War. Finances and raw materials were in short supply and these microcars, or 'bubble cars' as they became affectionately known, provided transport for thousands of impoverished motorists during that lean period in the middle of the twentieth century. These tint economy cars now have a significant place in motoring history. This book follows the microcar’s progress right up to the present day, with original color photographs. Click here for more info.







The A-Z of Popular Scooters & Microcars.
By Mike Dan.
An A to Z color reference book on classic motor scooters and microcars primarily from the 1950s to the 1970s. A hugely entrtaining "I was there" account of of the classic scooter and microcar era, this book is highly illustrated and also contains an essential A-Z reference to these fascinating machines.
Click here for more info.

BENTLEY CONTINENTAL SUPERSPORTS

Here's a look at The Bentley Continental Supersports - the fastest and most powerful Bentley ever. It is the extreme Bentley, a muscular two-seater that delivers supercar performance and a highly focused driving experience.

The Supersports is also the first Bentley capable of running on both petrol (gasoline) and biofuel, pioneering the use of FlexFuel technology in the luxury sector. This represents stage one of the company’s commitment to make its complete model range compatible with renewable fuels by 2012.

Available worldwide from autumn 2009, the Continental Supersports will be FlexFuel compatible in the majority of markets from launch with North American cars offering the capability by summer 2010, following regulatory approval.
Source:newspress/Bentley

This forthcoming Veloce book covers the Continental Supersports' predecessors from 1951-2002.

Bentley Continental, Corniche & Azure 1951-2002 – Revised Edition by Martin Bennett.
The book of the Continental in the Rolls-Royce era.

★ Brand new Revised Edition with an exciting, updated format
★ The fastest and most powerful coachbuilt Bentleys described in vivid detail
★ Includes technical specification, performance data, and a listing of individual cars
★ Profusely illustrated
★ Martin Bennett is an internationally acknowledged Rolls-Royce and Bentley expert
★ Covers 1951 to 2002 models
★ Bentley Continental R type, S1 S2 and S3; Bentley
★ Corniche; Bentley Continental Convertible; Bentley Continental R, S and T; Bentley Azure

Click here for more info about this forthcoming book.

A DRIVE ON THE WILD SIDE - ALISTAIR WEAVER INTERVIEW ON AUTO-LAB

If the video doesn't display click here

Available Now! A Drive on the Wild Side – Twenty extreme driving adventures from around the world by Alistair Weaver.
Written by award winning journalist and television presenter Alistair Weaver, and illustrated by some of the world's leading automotive photographers, A Drive on the Wild Side, takes you on a fascinating journey across some of the world's most challenging roads. Experience the heat of the Laos jungle, the loneliness of the Arctic and the bullet-marked streets of Beirut from behind the wheel of some of the world's finest cars. Find out what it is really like to drive a Ferrari 612 across the forgotten wastelands of western China, or to chase poachers on the slopes of Mount Kenya. This book tells the fascinating, hair raising and moving stories experienced during a career-spanning automotive adventure in style, with 400 stunning photos. This is a book that will appeal to car and travel enthusiasts across the world.
Click here for more info about the book.

BENTLEY ARNAGE FINAL SERIES

Bentley is preparing a final series of its Arnage model for an exclusive run of 150 cars. This is the culmination of 90 years of Bentley heritage and marks the 50th anniversary of the company’s iconic V8 engine signifying the end of an era as Bentley prepares for the future. This limited edition run will be launched at the Paris Motor Show next week.
The Bentley Arnage Final Series features a unique specification, combining the performance of the 500 bhp Arnage T with the refinement of the Arnage R and design elements from the Brooklands coupe, for the ultimate expression of British luxury and effortless power in a four-door saloon.

As Bentley prepares for the next generation of its flagship model, Veloce prepares work for next years eagerly anticipated publication of the second edition of this classic Bentley book.

Bentley Continental - Corniche & Azure 51-98 By Martin Bennett.
- The fastest and most powerful coachbuilt Bentleys described in vivid detail.
- Includes technical specification, performance data and a listing of individual cars.
- Profusely illustrated.
- Martin Bennett is an internationally acknowledged Rolls-Royce and Bentley expert.
- Covers - 1951 to date - Bentley Continental R Type, S1, S2 & S3; Bentley Corniche; Bentley Continental Convertible; Bentley Continental R, S & T; Bentley Azure.

Automotive News: Bentley Motors

BENTLEY MOTORS
BRITISH INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW PRESS DAY
INTERNATIONAL DEBUTS - STAND N11 - 12.00 noon JULY 22

The new 2009 Continental Flying Spur and Continental Flying Spur Speed will make their official international motor show world debuts at London this year.

The 600bhp Continental Flying Spur Speed is the most powerful 4-door car Bentley Motors has ever produced.

Inspired by Bentley’s legendary ‘Speed’ models that first appeared in 1923, the Flying Spur Speed offers a range of headline performance figures including a 0-60mph sprint time of 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 200mph.

For more info on Bentley Continental cars check out Veloce Publishing's book:

Bentley Continental - Corniche & Azure 51-98 By Martin Bennett



Features

- The fastest and most powerful coachbuilt Bentleys described in vivid detail.
- Includes technical specification, performance data and a listing of individual cars.
- Profusely illustrated.
- Martin Bennett is an internationally acknowledged Rolls-Royce and Bentley expert.
- Covers - 1951 to date - Bentley Continental R Type, S1, S2 & S3; Bentley Corniche; Bentley Continental Convertible; Bentley Continental R, S & T; Bentley Azure.
Description

The definitive history of the most sought-after, powerful and elegant Bentleys

for more info click here

source-newspress.co.uk

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